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HR 7655

Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act

119th Congress Introduced by Vern Buchanan and 3 co-sponsors

The bill expands foster youth supports by linking expectant/parenting youth to evidence-based home visiting, with tailored case management and required state coordination.

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-641.
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Bill Summary · HR 7655

Summary of: HR 7655 (119th Congress) – Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act

Purpose
- To amend section 477 of the Social Security Act with the goal of improving supports for expectant and parenting youth who have experienced foster care.
- The bill seeks to strengthen coordination with the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program and related services.

Key Provisions

1) Alignment with the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
- Adds a new purpose item to Section 477(a) to ensure foster youth receiving services can connect with evidence-based home visiting and support services under Section 511.
- Ensures eligible foster youth are linked to home visiting resources as part of the broader support system.

2) Mandatory State-Level Information and Coordination
- Amendments to Section 477(b)(3) require, at the end of the added subsection, a certification by the state CIO/CEO.
- The certification confirms that the State has processes to ensure youth in eligible families (as defined in Section 511) are informed about and connected to MIECHV home visiting and related supports available under Section 511.

3) Tailored Case Management and Resource Coordination
- Revisions to Section 477(d)(1) authorize states to use funds (allotments under subsection (c)) for:
- Tailored case management and resource coordination services for youth who are otherwise eligible for the state program but are now expectant or parenting.
- Any other activities reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of this section (i.e., to support expectant/parenting foster youth).

4) Effective Date
- The amendments take effect one year after enactment.
- They apply to payments under Section 477 of the Social Security Act for plans approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on or after that effective date.

Who is Affected

  • Eligible foster youth who are expectant or parenting and receiving services under the State program authorized by Section 477.
  • States administering the program, which must establish processes to link participating youth to MIECHV services (Section 511).
  • State agencies responsible for program administration and coordination (e.g., state social services departments and the chief executive officer or equivalent).

Potential Impact

  • Enhanced access to Home Visiting and related supports for foster youth who are pregnant or parenting.
  • Improved coordination between foster youth services and evidence-based home visiting programs, potentially improving maternal/child health outcomes and stability for these youth and their children.
  • Increased emphasis on tailored case management as part of public social services for this population.
  • Administrative requirement for states to certify coordinated processes to connect youth with Section 511 services, promoting accountability.

Process and Timeline

  • Introduction date: February 24, 2026.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • As of the latest action: committee consideration and mark-up held (April 29, 2026) with a report to be issued; bill language indicates it may move to floor consideration after review.
  • Enactment would occur one year after the date of enactment.

Notes
- Co-sponsors include Reps. David Schweikert, Vern Buchanan, Danny Davis, and Rudy Yakym.
- The bill is titled the “Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act.”

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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